Bundle package



M. SCHALLER BUNDLE PACKAGE Dec. 9, 1952 Filed May 5, 1-948 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 FIG.2

FIG.5

INVENTOR MA UR/CE SCHAL L ER HIS ATTORNEYS M. SCHALLER BUNDLE PACKAGE Dec. 9, 1952 2 Sl-lEETS-SHEET 2 Filed May 5, 1948' FIGJO INVENTOR MAI/Riff SCHALLH? BY ye MW 70% H IS ATTORNEYS Patented Dec. 9, 1952 BUNDLE PACKAGE Maurice Schaller, Flushing, N. Y., assignor to Lorentzen Hardware Mfg. Corp New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application May 5, 1948, Serial No. 25,150

2 Claims.

This invention relates to packaging and more particularly to the packaging for shipment or handling of bundles of elongated articles.

In the packaging of bundles of articles, it is known to provide protective end caps to aid in securing the bundle together and to avoid damage to the ends of the articles during shipment, storage or handling. This invention is directed to an improved bundle and to an improved form of end cap for such a bundle.

One form of the present invention comprises a corrugated paperboard blank which is foldable into an open-topped, box-like cap to cover the end of a bundle of elongated articles, in this instance light gauge sheet metal channel stock for Venetian blind head bars. Projecting flaps folded from the bottom of the cap project between adjacent rows of the bundled articles. A wire or a band-iron strap is placed about the sides of the cap; and this binds the periphery of the cap against the terminal side portions of the channels and also binds the channels against the interposed projecting fiaps, rendering them effective in opposing fortuitous disengagement of the end cap from the bundle.

In other forms of this invention, a generally similar end cap is fabricated of two or three individual pieces of corrugated paperboard secured together. In these forms, a single rectangular sheet extends across the ends of the bundle. Flaps extending from the four edges of this sheet are folded back to form the periphery of the cap and flaps projecting from one side of the sheet are interpositioned between adjacent rows of channels. These forms of end cap are also held in place by a strap extending about its periphery. The functioning of these forms of end cap is similar to the functioning of the previously described form.

Among the objects of the present invention are to provide an improved protective end cap for bundles that will adequately resist fortuitous displacement, that may be economically made, that may be assembled and positioned with facility, and that will reinforce to a greater extent than heretofore the entire bundle with which it is associated.

Another object of the invention is to generally improve protective end caps for bundles of elongated objects.

Further objects of the invention are to provide an improved bundle of elongated objects, to provide such a bundle which can be easily and rapidly prepared, and to provide such a bundle which is adequate for the ordinary hazards of handling and shipment.

Further objects, and objects relating to details and economies of construction, manufacture and use will more definitely appear from the detailed description to follow.

My invention is clearly defined in the appended claims. In the claims, as well as in the description, parts at times may be identified by specific names for clarity and convenience, but such nomenclature is to be understood as having the broadest meaning consistent with the context and with the concept of my invention as distinguished from the pertinent prior art. The best form in which I have contemplated applying my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a bundle of channels packaged according to the present invention and employing an end cap formed according to the first form of the invention.

Fig, 2 is a plan .view showing somewhat diagrammatically the blank from which the end cap for the bundle shown in Fig. 1, is formed.

Fig. 3 is a cross section, on a larger scale, of the paperboard stock from which the blank shown in Fig. 2 may be formed.

Fig. 4 is an elevation of the end cap of Figs. 1 to 3, looking into the top or open side of the same.

Fig. 5 is a vertical section taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4, the channels being indicated by dot-dash lines.

Fig, 6 is a view similar to Fig. 4 of the first form of end cap, the bundled articles being indicated by dot-dash lines.

Fig. 7 is an isometric view of a blank for a second form of end cap adapted to replace the end cap shown in the organization of Fig. 1.-

Fig. 8 is an elevation of the second form of end cap assembly, looking into the top or open side of the same.

Fig. 9 is a vertical section taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 8, the channels being indicated by dot-dash lines.

Fig. 10 is an isometric view of a blank for a third form of end cap adapted to replace the end cap shown in the organization of Fig. 1.

Referring to Fig. 1, the first form of the present invention comprises an end cap assembly of a paperboard end cap I 0 and a metal band I I which embraces the cap. Band iron or box strap is suitable for band ll. One cap is shown applied to each end of a bundle of relatively light gauge sheet metal channels which are adapted for use as channel stock in the forming of enclosed metal heads for Venetian blinds. These channels are formed in uniform lengths and it is desirable to protect and reinforce such bundles of channels during storage and shipment so as to avoid damage, by bending or otherwise. to the ends of the channels. For convenience in packaging, these channels are nested in pairs as indicated in Fig. 6.

The blank from which the end cap I6 of the first form of the invention is folded is shown in Fig. 2. This blank may be of corrugated paperboard, preferably laminated corrugated paperboard consisting of a corrugated sheet secured between two fiat layers of paperboard in the customary manner shown in Fig. 3. The blank com prises a strip having four rectangular areas or portions I2, I4, I and I6. These portions are preferably separated by parallel score lines I1 for folding the blank to form the sides of the open-topped, box-like end cap I0. For convenience, the open side of the box formation will be referred to as the top, and the side opposite thereto as the bottom, regardless of .the oriented position of the cap.

Each of the rectangular portions I2, I4, I5 and I6 are so proportioned as to extend across the terminal side portion of a bundle of elongated articles, such as the channels C shown in Fig. 1. A tab I9 projecting from the outside edge of the rectangular portion I6 and also separated by a score line H may be provided to lap over a margin of the portion I 2 when the blank is folded into hollow rectangular form. This tab serves to retain the end cap in hollow rectangular form for passage over an end of the bundle, and the tab is preferably secured to the portion I2 by stapling, gluing 01' otherwise.

Along the top edges of the rectangular .areas or portions I2, .I4, I5 and I6 (Fig. 2 .a series of flaps 20, 2!, 22 and 24 project, items and 22 bein somewhat longer than flaps 2I and 24. These flaps are separated from portions II 2, I4, 'I 5 and I6 by a common score line :25 extending .completely across the top .sides of these portions.

The length of the flaps 2I and 24 .as shown is approximately half the width .of the portion I5 so that when the blank is folded into hollow rectangular form these flaps may be folded inward to form the bottom of the open, boxlike end cap Ill.

The longer flaps 20 and 22 may b provided with transverse score lines 26, 26 parallel with the score line 25, the lines 26, 26 subdividing .these flaps into rectangular intermediate areas'or portions 21 and and rectangular terminal .areas or portions 29 and 3 I, respectively. 'Theilength .of the rectangular areas .21 and 30 is selected .to approximate the distance across the ends-of one or morerows of individual articles, and the length of the areas 29 and 3| may be chosen to approximate the similar dimension of the portions -I:2,

I4, I5-and I6.

In forming the end cap I0 from the :blank-of Fig. 2, right-angle folds are formed along the score lines I1 .so as to form ahollow rectangular body open at'both ends, tab -I9 then being (preferably) secured to portion I2 as previously explained. Then the flaps .20 and 22 are :folded at right angles along each of the :score :lines '25 and 26, 26, inwardly along line 25,-and then backwardly along lines 26, 26. This brings the areas 29 and 3| into planes where :they constitute interior 'fiaps between .and parallel :to the side wall portions I2 and I5 of the :box formation, :these flaps being removed from the sides of :the box formation. The flaps 2 Izand24 are then folded inwardly about thescore line '25 to form the bottom of the box-like end cap. These flaps may abut or be overlapped and they may be retained in position by a strip of paper of gummed tape 32 (Fi 1).

In assembly of the above-described end cap ID with a bundle of articles, some of the articles are inserted between the flaps 29 and 3|, these flaps now lying in parallel planes, and other of the articles are inserted between these flaps and the portions I2 and I5 forming sides of the boxlike end cap. As above noted and as shown in Fig. 6, the relation of the areas 21 and 30 to the size of the articles is such that the flaps 29 and 3| may be projected between adjacent rows of articles.

After the end cap Ii] has been assembled with the articles as above described, the metal band II is placed about the end cap, tightened thereabout and secured so as to constrict the sides of the end cap, formed by the portions I2, I4, I5 and I6, against the correspondin sides of the bundle of articles. The band II also serves to constrict articles Within the bundle against both sides of the flaps 29 and 3|. Displacement of the end cap I0 is resisted not only by frictional engagement of the inner faces of the sides of the end cap I6 against the sides of the articles at the outside of the bundle, but additionally by the frictional engagement of the articles themselves against both sides of the flats 29 and 3 I. A similar assembly of end cap I0 and band I I is applied to the other end of the bundle. If desired, one or more intermediate bands II, suitably padded by a bundle-embracing paperboard strip 32, may be applied about the bundle between the end caps I6, I6.

The end cap I0 of the channel bundle shown in Fig. 1 may be replaced by a second form of end cap 34 shown in Figs. 7-9, inclusive. This form of end cap is formed of three rectangular corrugated paperboard strips 35 and 36, 36. The paperboard strip 35 is of proper width to cover the end of a channel bundle and may have a pair of parallel transverse score lines 31, 31, only one of which is shown in Fig. 7, dividing the strip 35 into a central area 39 and terminal flaps 40, 40. The central area is of a size corresponding with the end of a channel bundle. The score lines 31, 31 permit the flaps 4D, .40 to be folded back against the terminal sid portions of the channels C of the channel bundle.

The strips 36, 36, which are preferably identical, are secured to the central area 39 and extend between the score lines 31, 31 of strip 35. Each of the strips 36, 36 are provided with a pair of parallel transverse score lines 4|, M defining a central area 42, a peripheral fiap 44 and an interior flap 45. The peripheral flaps 44, 44 correspond in length to the flaps 40, 40 of strip and are likewise adapted to be folded against the terminal side portions of the channel bundle. The relation of the areas 42, 42 to the size of the articles is such that when the end cap 34 is positioned on the bundle the flaps 45, 45 may be projected between adjacent rows of articles. The blank for the end cap 34 is completed by securing the strips 35, 36 in place on the central area 39 of the strip 35 by staples 4B or otherwise. The strips 36, 36 are located so that the score lines 4|, 4| forming the peripheral flaps 44, 44 coincide with the outside edges of thestrip 35. A completed end cap blank is shown in Fig. '7.

This second form of end cap is placed on the end of a bundle of channels ,by,first inserting the interior flaps 4'5, 45 between adjacent rows of channels. The peripheral flaps 48, 4D and 44, 44 are then folded back against the terminal side portions of the channels and are retained in position by a strap H which may be similar in all respects to the strap utilized with the first form of end cap.

This second form of end cap, when in assembled position on the bundle (Fig. 9) is likewise of open-topped, box-like form having flaps or webs projecting upwardly from the bottom of the box and adapted to be positioned between adjacent rows of articles. The function of this form of end cap is the same as that previously described. This form possesses certain advantages in that it may be fabricated in production quantities without the use of special paper-cuttin dies and without the waste of any material in cutting the blank from a sheet of paper board. In some respects, it is easier to apply to the end of a bundle of channels inasmuch as there are no flaps extending across the bottom of the end cap to be secured as in the first form of the invention.

A third form of end cap 4'! is shown in Fig. 10. This end cap comprises a piece of paperboard 49 having the outline of a cross, the central area 58 thereof being proportioned to correspond in size with the end of the channel bundle and form the bottom of an open-topped, box-like end cap. Four peripheral flaps 5| are provided for folding back against the terminal side portions of a channel bundle, a series of score lines 52 being provided to facilitate this folding. A second piece of paper board 54 is provided, this piece having a central area 55 proportioned to span one or more rows of bundled channels and terminal flaps 56, 56. Score lines 57, 51 may be provided to facilitate folding this piece into the U-shaped form shown in Fig. 10 for application to a channel bundle. Th aperboard piece 54 is so located on the area 59 of the piece 49 that the flaps 56, 56 may be projected between adjacent rows of articles when the end cap is positioned on the end of the bundled articles. This third form of the end cap is applied to a bundle of channels in exactly the same manner as the second form above described. When so applied, it also has an open-topped, box-like form with webs projectin upwardly from the bottom thereof.

It will be noted that in each of the forms of end cap shown herein, the area of frictional engagement between the bundle of channels and the end cap has been at least doubled by provision of the interior flaps 29 and 3!; 45, 45; or 56, 56; in the first, second and third forms respectively, thus greatly increasing the frictional engagement and thereby decreasing the likelihood of fortuitous displacement of the end cap. In addition, it has been found that should the sides of the end cap ll] of the first form be displaced somewhat in a direction to remove the end cap from the bundle, the flaps 29 and 3| will tightly engage the sides of the channels due to the side pull of the areas 21 and 39 leading thereto.

The insertion of the interior flaps of any of the forms of end caps between adjacent rows of articles within the bundle not only aids in retaining the end cap in position but also aids in reinforcing the entire bundle against deformation by maintaining the rows of channels in better alignment.

It is contemplated that the end cap will be formed in accordance with the shape and size of the bundle of articles and that one or more flaps projecting between adjacent articles or rows of articles may be used.

I claim:

1. A packaged bundle of elongated articles, comprising: a bundle of elongated articles, a protective end cap for the bundle, said end cap comprising a sheet of paperboard material folded about the sides of the bundle adjacent an end thereof and having end flaps, some of said end flaps bein folded across the end of the bundle and thence-longitudinally of the bundle between adjacent articles, and others of said flaps being folded across the end of the bundle, and a band passed about the cap and constricting the sides of the cap against the outside articles of the bundle and constricting adjacent articles against the longitudinally projecting flaps.

2. A packaged bundle of rectangular cross section of elongated articles, comprising: a bundle of elongated articles arranged in rows, a protective end cap for the bundle, said end cap comprising a sheet of paper board material folded about four sides of the bundle adjacent an end thereof and having an end flap on each side of the bundle, one set of opposite end flaps being longer than the other set and being folded across a portion of the end of the bundle and thence longitudinally of the bundle between adjacent rows of articles and the other set of opposite flaps being folded across the nd of the bundle, and a band passed about the cap and constricting the cap against the outside articles of the bundle and constricting adjacent rows of articles against the longitudinally extending flaps within the bundle.

MAURICE SCHALLER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 409,029 Elliott Aug. 13, 1889 1,667,279 Allen Apr. 24, 1928 1,675,147 Walter June 26, 1928 1,785,360 Payzant Dec. 16, 1930 1,953,627 Overholtz Apr. 3, 1934 2,124,808 White et al. July 26, 1938 2,260,424 Waters Oct. 28, 1941 2,328,356 O-tt Aug. 31, 1943 2,494,446 Moore Jan. 10, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 427,218 Great Britain Apr. 17, 1935 472,226 Great Britain Sept. 13, 1937 

